KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Society for The Deaf (SSD) will be hosting a charity bazaar on 25th June 2023 at its premises in Bukit Padang. This bazaar is the first to be held since 2019.
This annual fund-raising project was shelved during the pandemic MCO period from 2000 – 2022.
According to SSD President, Mr. Ng Kah Ghor, this bazaar is one of SSD’s efforts to raise fund to sustain their operation. SSD operates a preschool education centre in Kota Kinabalu for the hearing-impaired children.
Similar centres are also set up in Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Keningau, Kudat and Tenom. The centres also provide sign language training for the family of the deaf children to enable them to communicate with their Deaf sibling(s).
Besides that, sign language classes are also offered to public and government departments upon request. Short-term living skills training are also organized from time to time for the jobless Deaf youth as a way to help them to find a better living. Many of the Deaf in the centres are deaf with multiple disabilities.
As an NGO, SSD relies on state government grants and largely on public/corporate donations to sustain its operations. The SSD president added that without public/corporate support, it is almost impossible for the Society to sustain the journey to uplift the welfare of the Deaf community.
SSD needs more RM20,000.00 a month for their operation. To serve the Deaf community better, SSD has undergone some readjustments since the resignation of the principal Regina Wong in January 2023.
Under the new Council setup, efforts are made to expand their bakery to produce more cookies for sales and to introduce more living skills training like hydroponic vegetable farming and cake making for the Deaf Youth. SSD is in desperate need to raise fund to implement all its activities.
The SSD Council appeals for public support for this coming fund-raising bazaar. It is not about what we give, it is about the difference we will make. Any cash donations to SSD is also greatly welcome.
All cash donation to SSD will be issued with tax exemption receipt. For any enquiries, please contact our Acting Principal Ms Raini at 088-230893 or Mr. Ng at 013 – 870 4093.-pr/BNN
